How much can you love playing drums? Probably not more than Ray LeVier does. Not only is he a solid rock, R&B and Latin player, but he took on the challenge of becoming an accomplished jazz drummer, touring and recording with some of the best musicians in the world. He is a long time member of urban folk and jazz artist K.J. Denhert’s international ensembles.

Ray reached the top tier of professional jazz drum, despite having substantially lost all ten fingers of both hands to severe burns in a devastating camping accident as a child. His love of drumming was — and still is — the key to his healing process.

Drum Colleagues, Teachers & Students Are in Awe

Ray’s deep personal commitment to life and music is a source of inspiration to all who know him or hear him play. His drumming and composing ability — and his pure musicality – inspire awe in his fellow drummers, the teachers who helped him learn his art and their students — as well as his own.

According to one of his teachers, internationally known drummer and clinician Dom Famularo, “I play my students Ray’s recordings and they’re blown away by his skills. Then I tell them Ray’s story and their eyes get wide. After that they can have no excuses.”

Drummers, drum students and music lovers will find much of value here.